Of course it’s unfair. We’re women. Our choices are never easy. — Titanic

We ask a lot of our women.

A lady who doesn’t want to or can’t have children is continually asked about when it’s going to happen.  A mother who chooses to stay at home with young children will sometimes take heat from those who don’t agree with that choice.  Most mothers work outside the home now, but I’d probably be safe in saying that a huge share of the home work and child raising is still done by these women.

Irish Woman is one of the most hard working people I know.  She works full time, and does most of the cooking, at least half of the housework, and more than half the yard work.  She’s on task for doctor’s appointments, teacher conferences, birthday parties, and all of the other assorted stuff that comes with having Boo.  I do what I can, and Girlie Bear is a godsend, but the Atlas that is holding our family up is Irish Woman.  God help us if she ever fails or even shrugs.

I also know a few young girls and women who are looking for someone to take care of them.  They want someone to make the money, pay the bills, and make sure they have everything they could ever need or want.  It’s a nice gig if they can get it, but I always wonder how they will handle it when that situation changes and the person or thing they were leaning on so completely is suddenly not there.

For me, I am trying to raise Girlie Bear, along with her brothers, to never depend on someone else for the necessities of life.  I want them to lean on someone when they need it and share their life with someone because they want to, not because they need to.  I want all of them fully capable of standing alone and taking care of their business.

So, if you’re one of those women that is the rock of your family, or if you’re a woman who takes care of herself, by herself, thank you.  We couldn’t live our lives without you, and I’m not sure we would want to try.